Elastin-like polypeptide (ELP)-based drug delivery has been utilized for various applications including cancer therapies for many years. Genetic incorporation of internalization ligands and cell-targeting peptides along with ELP polymer enhanced tumor accumulation and retention time as well as stability and activities of the drug conjugates. Herein, we described a unique delivery system comprised of genetically engineered ELP incorporated with multiple copies of IL-4 receptor targeting peptide (AP1) periodically and proapoptotic peptide (KLAKLAK)2 referred to as AP1-ELP-KLAK...

The regulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) by mechanical stress is of interest as the ECM is essential in the development of pelvic organ prolapse. In the present study, the effect of overexposure to mechanical stress on the ECM, and the probable underlying mechanisms in cultured human uterosacral ligament fibroblasts (hUSLFs), was explored. Mechanical stress has an effect on oxidation‑antioxidation products in parametrial ligament fibroblasts. Thus, hUSLFs were incubated with different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide to elucidate any potential interactions...

We have developed a novel chromatographic analytical method for the simultaneous quantitation of collagen crosslinks. Seven non-derivatised crosslinks could be separated on a Cogent Diamond Hydride HPLC column using either isocratic or gradient conditions then detected by mass spectrometry. The total run time was less than 10min which is significantly shorter than that previously reported. This is the first method in which histidinohydroxylysinonorleucine (HHL) and histidinohydroxymero-desmosine (HHMD) were separated and identified by mass spectrometry without the need for pre- or post-column derivatization...

RATIONALE: Sputum neutrophil elastase and serum desmosine, a linked marker of endogenous elastin degradation, are possible biomarkers of disease severity and progression in bronchiectasis. This study aimed to determine the association of elastase activity and desmosine with exacerbations and lung function decline in bronchiectasis. METHODS: This was a single-centre prospective cohort study using the TAYBRIDGE registry in Dundee, UK. 433 patients with HRCT-confirmed bronchiectasis provided blood samples for desmosine measurement and 381 provided sputum for baseline elastase activity measurements using an activity based immunosassay and fluorometric substrate assay...

BACKGROUND: Bi-polar radiofrequency (RF) is capable of heating dermal collagen fibers and inducing skin tightening by collagen remodelling. OBJECTIVE: To substantiate safety and improvement of skin laxity following skin heating with a novel temperature and impedance controlled non-invasive radiofrequency (RF) device by histological and biochemical evaluations. METHODS: A split-face study was performed on 4 subjects that underwent 8 weekly RF sessions on one side of their face, leaving the other side an untreated control and then underwent face-lift procedure...

OBJECTIVE: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening vascular pathology, the pathogenesis of which is closely related to oxidative stress. However, an effective pharmaceutical treatment is lacking because the exact cause of AAA remains unknown. Here, we aimed at delineating the role of the paraoxonases (PONs) gene cluster (PC), which prevents atherosclerosis through the detoxification of oxidized substrates, in AAA formation. APPROACH AND RESULTS: PC transgenic (Tg) mice were crossed to an Apoe(-/-) background, and an angiotensin II-induced AAA mouse model was used to analyze the effect of the PC on AAA formation...

PURPOSE: To determine the periorbital effects of daily 0.03% bimatoprost in New Zealand white (NZW) rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: NZW rabbits were treated with daily 0.03% bimatoprost, artificial tears, or left untreated. Following 3 and 6 months of treatment, eyelid measurements were obtained for both upper and lower eyelid distraction, as well as canthus-to-canthus measurements. Once complete, subjects were humanely euthanized and eyelid tissue was utilized for histology...

Skin aging is a continuous process that exhibits fine and deep wrinkles, thin and transparent skin, loss of underlying fat, dry skin and itch, following decreased collagen and elastin synthesis. Both extrinsic and intrinsic agents are considered in the pathogenesis on skin aging. Extrinsic factors such as sun exposure, windy and dry weather, nutrition, and lifestyle may induce premature aging, toxic-free radicals, and reactive oxygen species due to decreasing normal function of mitochondria which play the major intrinsic factors in premature skin aging...

: We demonstrate a novel approach for the production of tunable quantities of elastic fibers. We also show that exogenous tropoelastin is rate-limiting for elastin synthesis regardless of the age of the dermal fibroblast donor. Additionally, we provide a strategy to further enhance synthesis by older cells through the application of conditioned media. We show that this approach delivers an elastin layer on one side of the leading dermal repair template for contact with the deep dermis in order to deliver prefabricated elastic fibers to a physiologically appropriate site during subsequent surgery...

CONCLUSION: In conclusion, these result showed HADSCs could differentiate into chondrocytes-like cells, dependent on signaling induced by TGF-β3 and chondrocytes. This is a promising result and showed that HADSCs is a potential source for future microtia repair. The technique of co-culture is a positive way forward to assist the microtia tissue. OBJECTIVE: Reconstructive surgery for the repair of microtia still remains the greatest challenge among the surgeons...

BACKGROUND: The study of new genetic biomarkers in genes related to connective tissue repair and regeneration may help to identify individuals with greater predisposition to injury, who may benefit from targeted preventive measures, and those who require longer recovery time following a muscle, ligament or tendon injury. The present study investigated whether single nucleotide polymorphisms of the Elastin gene could be related to MCL injury. METHODS: 60 top class football players were studied to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms for the Elastin (ELN) gene using Allelic Discrimination analysis...

The ascending thoracic aorta is poorly understood mechanically, especially its risk of dissection. To make better predictions of dissection risk, more information about the multi-dimensional failure behavior of the tissue is needed, and this information must be incorporated into an appropriate theoretical / computational model. Towards the creation of such a model, uniaxial, equibiaxial, peel, and shear lap tests were performed on healthy porcine ascending aorta samples. Uniaxial and equibiaxial tests showed anisotropy with greater stiffness and strength in the circumferential direction...

AIM OF THE STUDY: Our previous researches suggested that obesity induces structural fragility in the skin. Elastic fibers impart strength and elasticity. In this study, we determined whether elastic fibers decrease in the skin of obese mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To confirm alterations in elastic fiber content due to obesity, we used spontaneously obese model mice (TSOD) and control mice (TSNO). Furthermore, to evaluate the elastin structure and gene expression dependent on the severity of obesity, an obesity-enhanced mouse model was developed by feeding a high fat diet to TSOD (TSOD-HF)...

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is characterised by the infiltration of smooth muscle cell (SMC) apoptosis, inflammatory cells, neovascularisation, and degradation of the extracellular matrix. Previous work has shown that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and SMC apoptosis were increased both in a mouse model and human thoracic aortic aneurysm. However, whether the ER stress is activated in AAA formation and whether suppressing ER stress attenuates AAA is unknown...

Biomechanical characterization of the aortic wall may help risk stratify patients with aneurysms. We investigated the degree of anisotropy, the directional dependency of mechanical properties, in control and aneurysmal ascending aortic tissue. We hypothesized that medial degeneration and aortic wall remodeling as found in aneurysmal tissue alter energy loss in both the circumferential and longitudinal directions, thereby reducing anisotropy. Aneurysmal and control ascending aortic tissue excised during surgery was subjected to biaxial tensile testing...

OBJECTIVE: Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are characterized by the destruction of elastin and collagen in the media and adventitia. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4, an adipokine known as CD26) influences cell signaling, cell-matrix interactions, and the regulation of the functional activity of incretins in metabolic and inflammatory disorders. Although the role of DPP-4 in AAA evolution has been demonstrated, the underlying mechanisms of DPP-4-regulated AAA development remains unknown...

: In structurally heterogeneous organs, such as heart, it is challenging to retain extracellular matrix integrity in the thinnest regions (eg, valves) during perfusion decellularization and completely remove cellular debris from thicker areas. The high inflow rates necessary to maintain physiologic pressure can distend or damage thin tissues, but lower pressures prolong the process and increase the likelihood of contamination. We examined two novel retrograde decellularization methods for porcine hearts: inverting the heart or venting the apex to decrease inflow rate...

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) increases the incidence of adult cardiovascular disease (CVD). The sex-specific developmental mechanisms for IUGR-induced and western high fat diet (HFD) modification of CVD remain poorly understood. We hypothesized a maternal HFD in the Sprague-Dawley rat would augment IUGR-induced CVD in the offspring through decreased cardiac function and increased extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and stiffness in a sex-specific manner. HFD or regular diet (Reg) was given from 5 weeks prior to mating through postnatal day 21 (PND21)...